*Light*

This seems to be a major issue among those who follow their own heart and desires rather than submitting to what it "right" in the sight of the Lord; this includes judging righteous judgment (Jn. 7:24) -- and discerning the fruits of the spirit.

1) Our fruit is everything about us, both how we behave and what we say.  We can't tell what people are thinking, but we can hear and evaluate their words and see and discern their deeds. That is discernment not "judging". "Judging" in the sense used here has to do with condemning others in our hearts or with our words (or deeds, occasionally).  We can be wise about staying away from problematic people without violating this command not to "judge".  

And so we should indeed do:

I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (Corinthians 5:9-13)

So by all means we should make it our policy to stay away from people who are deep into gross sin and who want to tempt us into it as well . . . ESPECIALLY if they call themselves "Christians".

2) Solomon was wise, but wisdom is not enough. Wisdom is knowing what is right.  But doing what is right is an act of willful obedience to the Lord.  In fact, if we know what is right and don't do it, that is worse than doing something out of ignorance (Lk.12:47-48).  Solomon's problems with knowing what was right but doing what was not increased with his age:

For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. (1 Kings 11:4)

As a result, the kingdom was split in the time of his son into two parts (1 Ki.11:5ff.).  

God Bless!

Some people are simply emotional creatures and their sorrow towards sin is in actuality more of a worldly sorrow which almost all non-believers possess . . . unless their conscience's are seared with a hot iron.

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but [the sorrow of the world] worketh death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

I once heard a preacher (Paul Washer) explained how he had felt as if he "murdered" someone because he traded books with his friend because his (Paul Washer) book had a small fold or crease on the inside. Nothing he had said suggested any *godly* sorrow -- i.e, a broken and contrite spirit TOWARDS God to whom he had sinned against. Those who fail to submit and repent from their sins are only storing up wrath because of the stubbornness of their own heart (Rom. 2:5).

Thanks for the devotional, Bro!

God Bless!
 

That is a beautiful bird, Bro! There's so much *creativity* just in that one bird alone. This reminds me of the Tree of Life.

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare [twelve manner of fruits], and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1-2)

I not only believe that the *Tree of Life* has literal fruits -- but the fact that there are 12 fruits which are produced (simultaneously in the Greek) shows variety and creativity. Which means that Heaven will not be a BORING place by any means . . . but full of variety and creativity.

God Bless!

I have been asked by non-believers as to what happens to Christians who have loved ones who are in hell? I think the scriptures which apply say it all:

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and [God shall wipe away all tears] from their eyes. (Revelation 7:17)

And [God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes]; and there shall be no more death, [neither sorrow], nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. (Isaiah 66:24)

Holiness produces a *godly* hatred towards sin; and it will be made manifest as we  gaze upon those who REFUSED to REPENT of their sins and those who continually REJECT the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Crying is an OUTWARD manifestation of sorrow which comes from mourning and grief. Jesus Himself was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: (Isaiah 53:3-4). The characterizations included by those who seek such answers no doubt seek to explain these passages are a case of "going beyond what is written".  I see no reason for doing so in this case inasmuch as the above seems very clear to me.  We are not going to be troubled by anything in resurrection -- and it won't be because we are less and know less:  we will be more and know more in every conceivable way (and in ways which are as yet inconceivable). That being the case, it is a trap and a waste of time and energy to worry about departed loved ones whose status at present we cannot know for certain. For those who are still with us and not saved, we do what we can to lead them to the truth (recognizing that this is their decision) -- and such we should do whether or not we knew how we would "process" these things on the other side.

God Bless!
 

The orthodox formula, time-tested and correct, is that "God is one in essence, three in person". Some false teachers using words like "spirit being" and "manifestation" -- and this is problematic because these words and phrases are inexact, untested, and mean different things to different people. When it comes to the TRUTH, it is very important not to make matters worse when trying to explain the truth. My feeling about both of these words/phrases is that they tend to diminish who and what God is (as well as to confuse the true nature of the Trinity). God is more real than anything we see or experience. He created time and space in an instant; He is superior to and exists outside of time and space. God */has/* "Being", but calling Him "*/a/* being" suggests dependency upon the material universe, but that is not true of God at all! The same goes with manifestation, for the word suggests the arising of something that was not there before:

God has always existed, even before He created the universe. Then there's the Trinity triangle; which is a longstanding device to teach various aspects of the Trinity; it may not be perfect but it is not heretical (i.e., in essence it seeks to show how the Trinity is One and yet uniquely three at the same time). However, no theological weight can be placed on this or on any other teaching example: they are meant to help explain the simple "one in essence, three in person", not to replace the truth of scripture and become sources of truth themselves. Thanks for sharing!

God Bless!
 

Pride is the source and origin of all sin; because it stems from the heart of the author of sin itself -- Satan. It's a good thing that this refuse and scumbag of the Universe will one day be thrown into the Lake of Fire to be TORMENTED FOREVER, and then he will no longer be a threat to humankind. 

I am enjoying these Devotionals. :) Only those who want to be with God and enjoy Him are going to be in eternity. Life and history, therefore, are the perfect process for separating the sheep from the goats and allowing everyone's true inner person and true heart's desire to come out:  we choose to be who we are just as God made us whom we chose to be. Failure to repent demonstrates the true nature of the person; i.e., that person is too proud and arrogant to submit themselves and approach the LORD with a broken and contrite spirit.  But praise be to Him for His ineffable sacrifice in Jesus Christ our Lord!

God Bless!

And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and [put his fingers into his ears], and he spit, and [touched his tongue]; And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. (Mark 7:31-37)

Jesus also knew sign language: He put His fingers into the deaf mans ears to let him know that He (Jesus) knew that the man was DEAF. Then He (Jesus) touched the tongue of man who was MUTE to let him know the He (Jesus) knew that the man could not SPEAK.

God Bless!

The parable found in John 15 teaches us about how spiritual fruits are produced in our lives. The "problem" with the word "fruit" is the difference between English and, in this case ("fruit of the Spirit"), Greek.  In Greek, the word karpos, often translated "fruit" is wider in its meaning than the English word (which can be used metaphorically it should be added, as is the case in Galatians 5:22).  "Fruit" is the product of all plants which is also edible (not just what we call "fruit" in a technical sense as opposed to, e.g., vegetables or grains -- karpos covers all of these categories). However, in the parable of the "vine and the branches", Jesus speaks of fruits only being produced as a result of "abiding" in the vine (i.e., Christ). He is undoubtedly making a metaphor using "literal" fruits (cf. Gen. 2:9; Rev. 2:7; 22:2,14,19). Fruits have seed on the *inside* rather than on the outside. Jesus said:

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, [and that your fruit should remain]: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16)

We should take note that the "fruits" of the Spirit REMAIN and reproduce due to the fact that fruits have seeds on the INSIDE.

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; [for his SEED remaineth in him]: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9)

Unlike *superficial* Christianity and Christians who are OUTWARDLY religious, but have no fruits of TRUE repentance.

God Bless!

If man is annihilated and ceases to exist after physical death; and if there are no moral repercussions after death, then why are there objective moral values? I can murder 300 of my fellow human beings, shoot myself in the head, and it will ultimately result in the same fate as the rest of humanity -- that is -- cessation of all conscience, and no penalty for my actions whatsoever. Ultimately, life will serve no purpose at all in this Universe. Even if I am a philanthropist who feeds the poor and donates millions to charities -- what good will that do when I'm gone? I won't be here . . . and I won't know about the results of my actions while I was living here on Earth if I cease to exist. Ultimately, life would have no TRUE meaning to it, and we can live our lives how we want -- and when we're satisfied with what we've accomplished -- we can simply take our own lives and nothing would have been fulfilled regarding effects which endure throughout time immemorial. Whether you believed that you have lived your life to the Glory of God or were a genocidal madman like Hitler, it would ultimately make no difference at all if we cease to exist after death. 

People need to realize this because we will ALL live Eternally in one of two places whether we refuse to believe it or not; and everyone will be held accountable to God for their actions and deeds done here on Earth in this life.

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: [and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works]. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)

God Bless!!
 

The passage below in scripture has been abused by many Pastors and bible teachers alike who teach that this is a lesson about tithing; however, nothing in that context suggests that is the case. That passage is dealing with a woman who is trying to "earn" her way to heaven through works -- which is what the scribes and Pharisees taught. This widow gave all that she had (two mites -- 1/8 of a cent) believing that she would attain a right standing with God.

Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; [Which devour widows' houses], and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. (Luke 20:45-47)

God Bless!

I look forward to the Eternal State because the MOST precious One whom I LOVE with ALL my heart will be there (God). And secondly . . . I also look forward to Heaven because of the ABSENCE of sin. I detest sin in this world in all its form; and nothing makes me angrier than professing believers who draw near to the LORD with their mouths and honor Him with their lips ONLY. Those who get emotional by singing "worship" songs that have no doctrine at all in its lyrics, then live like the rest of the world will receive their just desserts at the Great White Throne Judgment. These hypoctires will be among those mentioned in Matthew 7:21-23 if they refuse to REPENT!

God Bless!

Thanks Alan! I look forward to your next devotion.

Yep! Weve all heard the old adage, "sometimes you don't know what you've got until it's gone." God most assuredly gives Grace to the humble, and that applies in all areas of our life and walk with the LORD -- and not just our Salvation. When I was homeless, I would be in a clique . . . and we would band together in an effort to assist each other with ideas on how we would get off our feet and off the streets; we wouldn't just fend for ourselves, but we would help each other. Most of us (through prayer) got off the streets eventually, and some were more "successful" and had better homes and jobs. There were a few from the "homeless" crew who became too complacent and bragged about how much wealth they've obtained from once being homeless; and to make a long story short . . . a few of them ended up getting demoted at their jobs and had to settle with living in apartments. They were fuming as a result of this and blamed it all on God, and asked, "what did Ido wrong?" They failed to appreciate the fact and the vital life lesson that even though they had been demoted and lost their houses -- it was still a "step-up" from being homeless. 

The more humble we are . . . the better the "chances" our prayers will be answered. I always realize that in ALL my prayers -- that we often need to depend on the prayers of those who have prayed BEFORE us -- so that God's divine providence can be accomplished synergistically through other members of the body of Christ. I personally do NOT have any desire to obtain more materially than what the LORD has already supplied according to His riches and glory. I am absolutely content with living in a small cottage with a stove, bathroom, and a couch where I can lay my head. I have declined job offers that had salaries much higher than what I am earning now. I did so  because it would take too much time off of my life from doing my labor of love -- which is serving the LORD. Pride often times leads to greed and a haughty attitude towards others, and this is a dangerous way to live; because this will ultimately lead down a path of destruction where there awaits a cliff that they will plunge off of it blind-folded to their demise.

God Bless!

How can an atheist "disprove" the existence of God or "a" god? Did they search the entire Universe? What if God established His base on another planet like the Mormon's believe? What if God was located in the Andromeda Galaxy in a small solar system with two binary stars? So who CREATED the Universe? "Well . . . it began with the BIG BANG!" Oh really? Well then where did the BIG BANG come from? Out of NOTHING, NOTHING COMES! Nothing can DO nothing, and nothing cannot CREATE anything! Or . . . "aliens created us." Really? Well who created the aliens? You can't have an infinite regress because infinite minus infinite results in infinite. It's a concept in the mind -- it doesn't really exist. Infinite is NOT the same as Eternal. Common sense isn't so common!

God Bless!

This guy (Bill Wiese) has either been deceived by Satan, or he is lying through his teeth to gain wealth.

The word hell is mentioned a total of 54 times in the King James Bible. It is mentioned 31 times in the Old Testament and 23 times in the New Testament. However, there are different terms in the Greek mentioned in the New Testament used for hell (e.g., "Hades, Gehenna, Tartarus"). When JESUS HIMSELF spoke on hell (the eternal abode of the condemned); it was mentioned by Him in Matt. 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; 11:23, 16:18; 18:9; 23:15; 23:33; Mk. 9:43, 45, 47; Lk. 10:15; 12:5; 16:23 as a WARNING to the unrepentant. It is also mentioned by other New Testament authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:27, 31; 1 Cor. 15:55; James 3:6; Rev. 1:18; 6:8; 20:13, 14)

Once a person is in hell, there is no escape; and according to many New Testament passages and in the unique parable of "the rich man and Lazarus" in the bible -- it is Eternal and INESCAPABLE. Here is just one example of what the bible says about hell in a parable told by Jesus:

"Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house -- for I have five brothers -- so that he may [WARN THEM], lest they also come into this place of torment. But Abraham said, They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them. And he said, No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent. He said to him, if they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced [IF SOMEONE SHOULD RISE FROM THE DEAD]." (Luke 16:27b-31)

And when He (THE HOLY SPIRIT) is come, he will [REPROVE] THE WORLD OF SIN, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (John 16:8-11)

Once a person is cast (thrown) into the Lake of Fire, that said person CANNOT or WILL NOT repent. Why? Because of the ABSENCE of the Holy Spirit who REPROVES the person of sin. The "rich man" in hell has NO NAME because nobody cares about him -- for he as no identity. This is why only the name Lazarus is named. The lost in Hell are AWAY from God's PRESENCE and only the Spirit of God (THE HOLY SPIRIT) can convict one of sin; therefore those in Hell cannot repent -- nor will they! They will "gnash their teeth" . . . which is an expression of contempt towards another (i.e. God). 

When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and [they gnashed on him with their teeth]. (Acts 7:54)

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with [everlasting destruction] FROM the PRESENCE of the Lord, and FROM the GLORY OF HIS POWER; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)

Everlasting destruction does NOT refer to annihilation because if someone or something does NOT EXIST, then how can they be FROM the PRESENCE of ANYTHING or ANYONE -- let alone GOD!!!

God Bless!

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. (2 Corinthians 11:23-30)

So what do we have here?

• 1. Flagellation
• 2. Imprisonment
• 3. Threats of death
• 4. Beaten with 40 lashes
• 5. Beaten with rods
• 6. Stoned (who knows how large the rocks were)
• 7. Shipwrecked 3 times
• 8. Perils of water
• 9. Perils of robbers
• 10. Perils by own countrymen
• 11. Perils by heathens
• 12. Perils in the city
• 13. Perils in the wilderness
• 14. Perils among false brethren
• 15. Fatigue and pain
• 16. Hunger and thirst
• 17. Fastings
• 18. Cold weather and nakedness
• 19. Sleepless nights

I may have missed a few, but for whatever reason we have to question the troubles which have fallen on our heads, they really don't come close to matching what Paul had to endure (and this is just the short list above as anyone who has read the book of Acts knows). Paul might well have asked why all this was happening to him. Wasn't he an apostle? Wasn't he trying to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ? Didn't all these troubles merely make his lot more difficult? Wouldn't it have been better for God to smooth his path for the sake of the building up of the Body of Christ? But instead of taking that approach in the verses above. Rather than questioning his lot, Paul embraces it, trusting the Lord that He really is "all things work together for good", even when it was not apparent -- and there must have been countless times when it was not readily apparent -- that such was the case.

God Bless!

Why would anyone in their right mind choose heaven over hell? Or . . . why would anyone reject the free gift of Eternal life? I suppose human autonomy plays a huge role in all of this. They think that Hell is one big party where the devil is the DJ.

The Gift of Christ is for all -- but all do not accept it. Everyone has been given the ability to accept the Gift: free will, the very image of God. But not all choose to use that ability to honor Him and to return a humble response to the One who sacrificed more than we will ever know that we might be saved. Some use that very free will to throw the Gift of Christ back in the Father's face. Praise be to God that life is short! Who would want to live in this miserable, temporary world forever? Answer: the devil and unbelievers who want the benefits of what God has done but without acknowledging Him as God, without bowing the knee to Jesus Christ. But in the end, every knee shall bow before Him. (Is. 45:23; Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10).

God is merciful and perfectly so. God is love, and completely so. God is not at fault -- God forbid! But people are arrogant. They want the blessings of God while remaining gods unto themselves. Life may be short, but it is plenty long enough in each and every case for someone in question to demonstrate by their words, actions and thoughts what is really in their hearts. Those who return God's great love by responding with faith in Jesus Christ are saved. Those who never were willing to do so go to hell -- of their own free will choice. This will be made VERY clear at the last judgment where every thought and intent of every heart will be revealed (Matt. 10:26; Mk. 4:22; Lk. 2:35; Eccl. 12:14: Rom. 2:16; Cor. 4:5a; Rev. 20:11-15), and it will be shown that these arrogant people are without excuse and that their defenses were defenses of clay  in the face of the light of the glory of God. God has mercy on those who are willing to receive it. Those who won't will be thrown in the Lake of Fire and brimstone where they will spend an Eternity separate from the One whom they rejected.

God Bless!

Thanks Alan! The story of Joseph is a perfect example of not only humility, but strength being perfected in our weaknesses -- such as the apostle Paul in his frailties. Both were dependent upon the Lord and His sovereign decree. What Joseph's brothers meant for evil -- God meant for good. Joseph was debased . . . and in the Lord's perfect timing -- he was exalted (cf. Matt. 23:12). Who knows what could/would have happened if God had decided to remove Paul's "thorn in the flesh"...

God Bless!

Absolutely, Jim! Those who believe that Salvation can be lost accuse Eternal Security proponents of using Grace as a "license for immorality". That is NOT what we believe. The Word of God teaches just the opposite: that the Grace of God results in "godliness" and a pursuit of holiness and separation from the world. 

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. [Teaching us] that, [denying ungodliness and worldly lusts], we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and [the glorious appearing] of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-13)

Those who are truly saved by the Grace of God look for the glorious appearing of our Lord; and that is accompanied with us being purified through Christ dwelling in us.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, [when he shall appear], we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And [every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself], even as he is pure. (1 John 3:2-3)

God Bless!

Walking down an aisle and repeating a rote prayer; or being baptized as an infant, does not save anyone. Gavin Newsome considered himself a "Christian" because he was raised a Catholic and attended mass. This is the hypocrisy of this loser Mayor who had issued same-sex marriage licenses. He needs to REPENT and to truly be born again!!!

God Bless!

I invited a Christian brother over for supper once and asked if he would say Grace, and he said "sure, I'll say it . . . Grace and Amen!" My blood was boiling, and so I had a word with him afterwards because I didn't want to embarrass him in front of his wife.

I didn't even know that this website had devotionals until a few days back. As mentioned by Alan, it is the Father who does the "pruning" so that we can bring forth MORE fruits in due season. And in that parable -- Jesus said that we can do NOTHING unless we "abide" in Him. The Roman Catholics and their pedophile priests put so much time and effort into "purifying" themselves, when all the while they're heaping judgment unto themselves with their self-righteousness which is a stench in the nostrils of our Lord God.

God Bless!

The idea that babies going to hell is absurd, and it comes from a poor understanding of scriptural context. It is written: He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)

How is a baby able to "believe" in the Gospel? Or, how is a baby able to "reject" the Gospel? A baby is not able to believe or believeth not, so how are they condemned. The fact that a "deacon" would teach such a doctrine shows how untrained in the Word of God he is. Sad...just sad.